Why not eight? Why not six? Elizabeth Hurley throws the question back to Brendan Fraser’s character when he asks her why he only get seven wishes in the comedy Bedazzled. Why seven frames? In one of my previous posts, I had the extravagant idea of wanting to write a review as well as capture my favourite screenshots from all of Wes Anderson's movies. Why Wes Anderson, you ask? Coupled with genius cinematographer Robert David Yeoman, this duo creates some of the visually pleasing, perspective-tickling and angle-galore camera work and, yeah, cinematography. This is the kind of visual aesthetic I've aimed to capture in my own film photography. I’m so happy that I have an inspiring collection of works by these two geniuses to dive into and watch how they do it so well. Going back to my ambitious plan, I have to admit the writing part takes the longest. In another way, it doesn’t seem to align with what my website is all about and that's really showcasing my portfolio, achievements and visual aesthetics that inspire my work. Instead, my plan is to select seven of my favourite scenes from each Wes Anderson movie chosen in no particular order. More so chosen on which one is my favourite and working my way down the list. With those seven frames, I will aim to replicate those scenes in my own photography using things I see around me and nearby places. It will be an achievable and fun challenge where I can hopefully see myself improve. I will aim to set realistic but spaced deadlines for when they are started and finished. For the time being, let’s get started with The Grand Budapest Hotel.
The Grand Budapest Hotel is a visual treat for sweet-lovers. It is also a comedic tragedy that uses an alternate past, an establishment, and a few loveable characters to explore deeply emotion ideas in humanity. Any fan of Wes Anderson’s work will find all the distinct direction, style, cinematography and character development present in this film. However, The Grand Budapest Hotel takes it up a notch. It creates a fictional past that’s not so different from our historical past that makes it incredibly relatable and poignant. The main hero, M. Gustave H., is an incredibly admirable character that stays true to his principles from start to finish. I wonder if I will ever meet someone like M. Gustave H. in my lifetime.
The movie primarily takes place in, you named it, The Grand Budapest Hotel, a highly reputable institution filled with cultured guests of a certain privileged class who frequent the establishment. The story is told in a framed perspective by Zero who, in his late years, confides his story and the wonderful story that takes place at The Grand Budapest Hotel. When Zero takes up the new lobby role at the hotel, he is taken under tutelage of Monsieur Gustave H. who oversees the operations of hotels. They try and solve the murder mystery of one of the guests of the hotel, which leads to train rides, escaping from prison, a sled chase through snowy alps, and the theft of a rather expensive painting. It is the story of a story of a story, and it’s beautifully executed an almost nostalgic way as if you’ve known those characters in some way.
Note, I did write up almost half the review before realising I could go on and on for hours and write a critical analysis the selected film. I will make the choise of writing a succinct paragraph-long review of them or not at all. Let’s not be harsh on ourselves and roll on o the next paragraph.
The story is told by an older Zero, played by F. Murray Abraham, who oversees the narration of the story in an enchantingly bittersweet manner. The story is told to a young writer, aptly named the Author, and is played by Jude Law and later played by Tom Wilkinson. A much younger Zero by Tony Revolori, who start employment at The Grand Budapest Hotel as a lobby boy, is taken under the wing of Monsieur Gustave H. and becomes his confidante and accompanies him on all the adventures. Ralph Fiennes brings an effortless charm in his fantastic portrayal of Monsieur Gustave H., the renowned concierge of the Grand Budapest Hotel, meticulous in his work and anticipates the needs of guests before guests are even aware of it. Upon the mysterious death of the one of the hotel’s frequented guests, Madam D., son, Dimitri, played by Adrien Brody, a recurring cast member in several of Wes Anderson’s films, does whatever it takes to make sure that Monsieur Gustave H. has no part in the will with the assistance of Willem Defoe’s character Jopling, Dimitri’s hired assassin. Gustave and Zero’s adventures include the help of Zero’s love interest who is an apprentice at Mendl’s named Agatha, played by Saoirse Ronan, and has a distinct scar on her left cheek. Edward Norton, another regular name in Wes Anderson’s films, plays the police investigator of Madame D.’s murder as well as well as French actor Matthieu Amalric who plays the shifty butler of Madame. D. Other enjoyable cameos to see include Bill Murray, Jason Schwartzman, Owen Wilson, and Léa Seydoux. The Grand Budapest Hotel is another star-studded group of talented actors, some of whom have recurring roles in Anderson’s other great films. While refreshing to see new faces and names on the silver screen, it’s also just as pleasing to see when a director continues to work with the same group of actors because something just seems to work and that translates and is evident in the end-product.
Watching the film is like opening a present only to find another present waiting inside, and when you unwrap that present you find yet another present. The story’s telling is unravelled in a similar manner and its execution is top-notch from a director’s already-great story-telling technique.
All screenshots are from the film The Grand Budapest Hotel, directed by Wes Anderson, Foxlight Search Picture, 2014.